Talk of the late Christopher Wallace is the jumping off point for a list of what Fredro refers to as fallen soldiers. Relationships with the likes of Jam Master Jay, Tupac Shakur and group members X-1 and Big DS pepper the conversation. If Nas’ infamous line about sleep being the cousin of death is any indication, that at least partially explains why Fredro and Sticky have been so charged for the last 20-plus years. In an industry that often caters to and rewards being mentally comatose, sometimes a well-executed scream is the best option…even at 7:00 a.m.

With aggressive tracks such as the iconic ‘Slam‘ or their latest track, ‘Wakedafucup,’ it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming Onyx simply reserves their high energy level for the recording booth. That would be an incorrect assumption. When Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz call from Samara, Russia at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time—due to the 12-hour time difference between Los Angeles and Samara—the pair are just as amped up as they sound on wax.

Sticky Fingaz yells, “Wake the fuck up!” at least twice. Maybe it’s in jest, given the early interview time, or maybe he’s dead serious in regards to how Onyx feel about Hip Hop. Either way, he and Fredro feed off of one another’s energy. This is especially true when discussing their upcoming Wakedafucupalbum, which was produced entirely by the Snowgoons.

‘I think this Wakedafucup album with these niggas from Germany is gonna set the fuse off for the New York sound again,’ Fredro explains. ‘You got other niggas coming out representing that New York sound, and this is gonna be the start of it. That’s why we’re dropping it on March 9, which is the anniversary of Biggie’s death…

Now that you’ve seen The People REVOLT in Tunisia, Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Brazil and the Ukraine, tell me what will happen on the streets

On April 4th, we will launch the first phase of the Worldwide Wave of Action by gathering at Zuccotti Park and former occupation sites throughout the world to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At 6:05pm CT, the time of his assassination, we will host vigil ceremonies and resurrect his spirit of nonviolent direct action.

People with opinions across the political spectrum are invited to unite and find common ground against corruption. We will overcome divide and conquer propaganda by forming communities of support and compassion. Together we will fight for freedom and begin engaging in a relentless campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience. People will pledge to take part in whatever tactics they are interested in throughout a sustained three-month cycle. Here’s a basic list of tactics…

You know what you can do to play a part. Do whatever you feel inspired to do. Amplify what you are already doing. Think about what you are willing to do to be the change we urgently need to see in the world, and then do it.

It is a dark day in Europe. On the streets of one of our capitals, people are being killed. Their demands were simple and natural: democracy, reforms and European cooperation. Their desire was, for a long time, the desire expressed by the entire Ukrainian nation. And this was why we in the European Union, through the Eastern Partnership, opened the door to cooperation, trade, reforms and integration.

We did so because we too were convinced that this was in the interests not only of Ukraine, but of the whole of Europe. But let us be clear about what happened. Last summer, Russia launched a single-minded pressure offensive to make Ukraine deviate from its chosen course. Brutal trade barriers were combined with open threats. And a wavering leadership in Ukraine gave in.

But when they gave in, it was seen as a betrayal by all those people who had hoped for a better future. The European flag flew in Maidan Square as a symbol of the desire for a better future. People wanted to move forwards alongside the rest of Europe – not backwards towards the all too well-known. Without those threats from Moscow and the wavering in Kiev, Ukraine could today have been clearly on its way to a better future.

The International Monetary Fund, with support from us all, was prepared to offer an economic assistance and reform programme. And the door to European political cooperation, and the political solidarity that goes along with it, had been opened.

Not all of the problems had been resolved. But Ukraine was, with broad European and international support, clearly on a path to a better future. But this future of European cooperation was a future that powerful forces did not want to see. And that is where the responsibility for the killings on the streets of Kiev clearly and ultimately lies.

Today, President Yanukovychhas blood on his hands. And I am afraid that the path he has now taken will lead to even more suffering and violence. He was the only one who could have prevented the killing – by extending a hand of genuine cooperation to the democratic opposition.

Instead they were shown a fist. People have been shot dead with live ammunition. Peaceful demonstrators. But police officers and others have also been harmed in the violence that broke out. I am afraid that Ukraine is now heading for dark times. The crisis in the country will become deeper and longer. I am deeply concerned.

But the outcome of the violence will be precarious and short-lived. It will die away like a storm on the steppes. What has happened, and is happening, in Ukraine also demonstrates the power of the European dream. A Europe of peace and freedom and cooperation.

As February 14th dawns across the world, ONE BILLION RISING FOR JUSTICE begins 48 hours of global activism designed to focus the world’s attention on the issue of justice for all survivors of gender violence, and ending the rampant impunity that prevails globally. This day of action is part of a two year long activist led campaign highlighting the work of thousands of groups on the ground, deepening the connection of injustices, escalating pressure on government and media through constant activity and invigorating local and national movements through global solidarity and dancing.

For 48 hours as 14 February rolls across the globe, one billion women, men, and youth from 200 countries will peacefully gather outside places where they are entitled to justice – court houses, police stations, government offices, school administration buildings, work places, sites of environmental injustice, military courts, embassies, places of worship, homes, or simply public gathering places where women deserve to feel safe but too often do not – to shine a spotlight on injustice and to demand an end to violence against women and girls.

FOLLOW THE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN

For months, activists planning One Billion Rising for Justice events have used media, social platforms and the Internet to connect to one another and on Friday, they will continue to do so on a global scale like never ensuring their personal visions of justice heard.

Details on following One Billion Rising online and the campaign’s Live Streams:

One Billion Rising Homepage (www.onebillionrising.org) The homepage of OneBillionRising.org has been transformed into a social media and digital activism platform, a one-stop location to follow the global campaign in real-time with updates from grassroots organizers, access to live stream events, links to coverage of the campaign, and statements of support, and of defiance, from across social media.

#rise4justice and #1billionrising Online activists are rising together on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and Soundcloud, among others. This year, the campaign is using the hashtags #rise4justice and #1billionrising to connect a creative community of supporters and to highlight the thousands of photos, videos, and art, including original songs, videos, poems, and dance, that are being shared at rapid speed.

Around the Clock, from Around the World – Live Stream Schedule

Kicking off with a flash mob outside of the Presidential Place in the Philippines, One Billion Rising will live stream more than two-dozen events from around the world from Lima, Peru to Trafalgar Square in the heart of London.

One Billion Rising for Justice Live Stream Schedule (subject to change)

One Billion Rising for Justice Live Stream Schedule (subject to change)

Disclaimer: As with any live-streaming event, there are technical considerations that may be beyond our control. V-Day will do its best to make sure that the events listed are streamed in their entirety; however, we cannot make any guarantee of 100 percent uptime.

On this day, 14 February, 2014, V-activists will shine a spotlight on the darkness of injustice and make the connections between their visions of justice and the ultimate goal of eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls by RISING, RELEASING and DANCING in the light.

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About V-Day

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and other artistic works. The V-Day movement has raised over $100 million; educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it; crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns; reopened shelters; and funded over 13,000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, and Iraq. V-Day has received numerous acknowledgements and awards and is, one of the Top-Rated organizations on both Charity Navigator and Guidestar. V-Day’s most recent global campaign, ONE BILLION RISING, galvanized over one billion women and men on a global day of action towards ending violence against women and girls. www.vday.org

The music video for the song, titled ‘Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film‘ was shot on July 10, 2013, at the Pace Gallery in New York City. The video, directed by Mark Romanek, was inspired by the work of performance artist Marina Abramović and in particular by her 2010 installation ‘The Artist Is Present’. The shoot was attended by director Judd Apatow, rapper Wale and artistLaurie Simmons, among many other ‘important figures from the gallery and sales side of fine art.’ On August 2, 2013, the music video premiered on HBO at 11 p.m. EST.

Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film was nominated for Best Music Video at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone ranked ‘Picasso Baby’ at number 19, on their list of the 100 Best Songs of 2013, calling it “the standout track from Jay Z’s lackluster ‘Magna Carta… Holy Grail’.

RT @RSDUK: "Music had been something that excited me for a long time and I arranged to work part-time as a doctor and part-time in the shop… also on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CookedNews 1 month ago

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